Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952-1954, Iran,
1951–1954

1836. 1. During my talk with PriMin
this morning he said several days ago info had come to him that Brit agent was circulating among tribes
in area of Luristan; stopping at houses of tribal leaders; asking
numerous questions re matters domestic concern; and in general stirring
up tribesmen. He had given orders for arrest this agent but was later
astonished to learn that foreigner in question was Amer citizen named Dubois; who claimed to
be mbr State Dept traveling in Iran.
This foreigner cld not give convincing
explanation for his presence among tribesmen. PriMin asked if I cld tell him more about Dubois.

2. I said Arthur Dubois arrived Tehran several months ago. He was mbr
Dept State engaged in research. He
had not been in Iran for many years. Purpose this visit was to spend
several months in country getting acquainted with changed conditions. It
was not easy for researcher in Dept to
obtain accurate picture Iran from written reports. PriMin remarked that Dubois was
therefore really a spy. I said that if US official, friendly to Iran and working on Iranian
matters in US, was engaging in espionage
if he traveled thru country endeavoring obtain first hand impressions
then Dubois was spy. Scores of prominent Iranians went to US annually for same purpose and no one
considered them as spies.

3. PriMin said tribal areas in Iran
extremely sensitive. Amers going into such areas likely be exploited by
tribal leaders disloyal to central govt, who by entertaining these Amers wld endeavor give impression they had
support of US. Furthermore, PriMin was afraid that Amers going into
these areas might unconsciously become agents of Brit who no longer dare send their own
nationals to tribes. He hoped that Amernatls, particularly during this
period, wld refrain from visits among
tribes other than those of official character.

4. I told PriMin I convinced that
Dubois had not conducted himself improperly or had not engaged in
political activities. Dubois was planning in any event to return to
US shortly after he had completed
his trip. I said I wld ask all Amer Governmental officials in Iran to
refrain from traveling among tribes merely for purposes of visiting
friends, satisfying curiosity, engaging in shooting expeditions, etc. I
added that of course it wld be
necessary in pursuance of their work for various [Page 398]Amer officials to
visit or pass thru tribal areas. Whenever this necessity arose I wld make special effort to see that
appropriate governmental authorities were fully informed in advance re
contemplated trips.

5. Shortly after my return to Emb I
learned that Iran police had this morning informed French correspondent
that Dubois “was being brought to Tehran under detention”. I sent
message to Mosadeq, informing him
that police were already passing out information re Dubois’ difficulties
and suggesting that Iranian Govt and
Emb both reply to inquiries that
police had stopped Dubois in southern Iran for purpose checking his
documents, but that they had not held him, and that he was returning to
Tehran. Mosadeq agreed with this
explanation except that he insisted that Iranian Govtwld state that Dubois was returning to
Tehran on request Iranian Govt.

6. I believe it wld be wise for Dubois
to leave Iran several days after his arrival in Tehran. I also venture
recommend that during this difficult period visits of US officials to Iran for purposes of
“orientation” be reduced to minimum.

Henderson

Source: National Archives,
RG 84, Tehran Embassy Files,
1950–1952, classified general records, Box 25. Secret; Security
Information; Priority; No Distribution. Drafted by Henderson. The telegram is the
Embassy copy as approved and has no time of
transmission.↩